We believed in winning this title!
Saturday, May 23, 2026
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Shakhtar U19 captain spoke about clinching the U19 National League title
– Honestly, the emotions are still overwhelming! This is my fourth year at Shakhtar U19, and we had no luck… The UEFA Youth League, difficult trips, we finished second or third. This year there were no European competitions, so we had more rest and prepared for every match. We became champions of the country and I’m very happy about it. I’d like to thank Oleksii Bielik, Maksym Malyshev, Oleksandr Alimov and the entire coaching staff. This triumph is for the doctors, the Academy directors and the club president.
– How important is it for you, as captain, to lift the league trophy?
– It so happened that this season is my last at youth level, and the head coach entrusted me with the captain’s armband. I was very nervous in the opening matches, but later I spoke with Maksym Malyshev, and he supported me, stressing that I should keep playing the way I always had. I approached every match understanding that I had to perform no worse than in the previous one. We believed in winning this title, and it turned out that we achieved it in my final year at Shakhtar U19. An incredible celebration, I’m very pleased with the team! It feels like a family and I will never forget it.
– You made the fans nervous in the final round. How difficult was this season for you and the team?
– The season was difficult, with a lot of injuries. A big thank you to the doctors, who, although sometimes frustrated with us, helped enormously and always stayed with us until the evening, supporting everyone. We are champions and we deserved it. Yes, we lost twice to Dynamo U19, but the gold medals are ours.
– You celebrated passionately after the match. Tell us, what did the head coach say and how did he congratulate you?
– Honestly, we left all our emotions out on the pitch together with the fans. In the dressing room, every coach thanked us for the season as did Smetana, Tsukanov and myself. For Viktor, Denys and me, this is the final season at U19 level, and together we have come through a long and demanding journey. I’m very happy for Tsukanov and Smetana when they are with the first team and show that, through hard work, Academy graduates are capable of breaking into the senior squad.
– As the captain of Shakhtar U19, what would you like to say to the fans who supported you?
– This medal is for you. You are everything we have. Thank you very much for coming to every match and supporting us! We have brought the title back and we want to thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for this opportunity.
– How important is it for you, as captain, to lift the league trophy?
– It so happened that this season is my last at youth level, and the head coach entrusted me with the captain’s armband. I was very nervous in the opening matches, but later I spoke with Maksym Malyshev, and he supported me, stressing that I should keep playing the way I always had. I approached every match understanding that I had to perform no worse than in the previous one. We believed in winning this title, and it turned out that we achieved it in my final year at Shakhtar U19. An incredible celebration, I’m very pleased with the team! It feels like a family and I will never forget it.
– You made the fans nervous in the final round. How difficult was this season for you and the team?
– The season was difficult, with a lot of injuries. A big thank you to the doctors, who, although sometimes frustrated with us, helped enormously and always stayed with us until the evening, supporting everyone. We are champions and we deserved it. Yes, we lost twice to Dynamo U19, but the gold medals are ours.
– You celebrated passionately after the match. Tell us, what did the head coach say and how did he congratulate you?
– Honestly, we left all our emotions out on the pitch together with the fans. In the dressing room, every coach thanked us for the season as did Smetana, Tsukanov and myself. For Viktor, Denys and me, this is the final season at U19 level, and together we have come through a long and demanding journey. I’m very happy for Tsukanov and Smetana when they are with the first team and show that, through hard work, Academy graduates are capable of breaking into the senior squad.
– As the captain of Shakhtar U19, what would you like to say to the fans who supported you?
– This medal is for you. You are everything we have. Thank you very much for coming to every match and supporting us! We have brought the title back and we want to thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for this opportunity.